Dedications

The Kezele Café Gallery is named in honor of Larry Kezele, owner of Ruth Hunt Candies and a longtime supporter of the arts across Mount Sterling and the wider region. Larry’s generosity and belief in the importance of creativity have helped support artists and arts organizations throughout the community. Fittingly, the Kezele Café Gallery is dedicated to showcasing local and emerging artists, providing a welcoming space where new voices and fresh perspectives can be shared with the public. The gallery reflects Larry’s commitment to uplifting the creative community and ensuring that artists at every stage of their journey have a place to be seen and celebrated.

The J.D. Wilson Gallery is named in honor of Jackson D. “J.D.” Wilson, a Mount Sterling native whose generosity helped bring the Gateway Regional Arts Center to life. During the 2007 renovation of the historic First United Methodist Church into what would become GRAC, Wilson made a significant $50,000 contribution to the project, helping the community move closer to its goal of transforming the building into a vibrant home for the arts. Today, the gallery bearing his name houses GRAC’s Contemporary Kenyan Art Collection, the largest of its kind in North America. Through this space, Wilson’s legacy continues to support global artistic exchange while connecting Mount Sterling audiences with art and culture from around the world.

The Gillie Frye Gallery is named in honor of Gillie Frye, whose story is a touching reminder of the quiet ways the arts can bring light into people’s lives. Gillie was largely homebound and received the Gateway Regional Arts Center’s monthly postcards at her home in Winchester, which brought her great joy and helped her feel connected to the creative life of the community. When she passed away in 2013, having lost her husband and with no children, she left a remarkable gift of $500,000 to support GRAC. It was a powerful reminder that the Center had been a source of brightness in her life, even when no one realized it. Today, the Gillie Frye Gallery continues that legacy, serving as a space that shares art, inspiration, and light with others.

The Lewis Apperson White Performance Hall is named in memory of Lewis Apperson White, through a generous gift from Elise and James Boyd during the 2007 renovation that transformed the historic First United Methodist Church into the Gateway Regional Arts Center. The Boyds donated $250,000 to the project in honor of Elise’s father and further inspired the community by pledging to contribute an additional $250,000 if local supporters could raise $125,000 on their own. Their leadership and generosity helped rally community support and move the vision of a regional arts center closer to reality. Today, the Lewis Apperson White Performance Hall serves as a vibrant gathering place for performances, events, and community celebrations, carrying forward the spirit of generosity that helped make GRAC possible.

Dempsey’s Corner is named in honor of Marion Dempsey, the construction manager who oversaw the transformation of the historic 1863 First United Methodist Church into what is now the Gateway Regional Arts Center. During the renovation, Marion spent countless hours on site coordinating the work and bringing the vision for the building to life. A small nook on the first floor became his regular spot, where he could often be found reviewing plans and papers as the project took shape around him. Today, that space is home to the GRAC gift shop, lovingly known as Dempsey’s Gift Shop, continuing the legacy of the man whose dedication helped make the arts center possible.

The Gate City Arts Guild Hallway is dedicated in memory of Ray Beam, a founding member of the Gate City Fine Arts Guild and a lifelong artist and advocate for the arts. Ray’s creativity and generosity touched countless lives. An accomplished painter known for his award-winning oils and watercolors, his work hangs in homes and businesses throughout the community. He shared his love of art through the Gate City Fine Arts Guild, weekly classes at the Gateway Regional Arts Center, and ten years of teaching art at Hillcrest Home for Boys. By dedicating this hallway in his memory, GRAC honors Ray’s enduring legacy of creativity, mentorship, and service to the arts in Montgomery County.

The Tracy Pearce Mt. Sterling Cabaret recognizes Tracy Pearce for her long-standing leadership and steadfast advocacy for the arts in Mount Sterling and Montgomery County. As the Director of Mount Sterling–Montgomery Tourism , Tracy has been a tremendous supporter of the Gateway Regional Arts Center and a champion for the role the arts play in the community. Since the Cabaret’s inception in 2009, she has served as its host, helping grow the event into a beloved tradition that showcases local talent and celebrates live performance. Renaming the Cabaret in her honor recognizes her enduring support for the arts and the vibrant community spirit she brings to Mount Sterling.

The Dr. Danielle King Farm to Table Dinner is named in honor of Dr. Danielle King, whose vision launched this cherished community event in 2015. A local primary care physician and dedicated civic leader, Dr. King has served on the Gateway Regional Arts Center Board, the Montgomery County Health Board, and as a member of Mount Sterling City Council. Her idea for the Farm to Table Dinner celebrates the strength of the local community by bringing together local farmers, chefs, and neighbors around one table, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients prepared by regional chefs. In 2024, the Gateway Regional Arts Center proudly took on stewardship of the event, continuing Dr. King’s vision of gathering the community to celebrate local food, agriculture, and the arts.

The Joshua O. Ingram Paint the Small Town Plein Air Event celebrates the dedication of Josh Ingram and his commitment to keeping this artistic tradition thriving. The event began in 2015 in partnership with Mount Sterling’s Small Town America Festival, inviting artists to capture the charm and character of the community through plein air painting. In recent years, Josh has taken the event under his wing, working tirelessly to raise funds, recruit participating artists, and ensure its continued success. His enthusiasm and hard work have helped grow Paint the Small Town into a vibrant celebration of art, place, and community.

The Cay R. Lane Event Series honors Cay R. Lane, the founding Executive Director of the Gateway Regional Arts Center and the driving force behind the Montgomery County Council for the Arts, established in 1991. Cay played a pivotal role in building the strong foundation that made GRAC possible, championing the vision of a thriving regional arts center long before the building itself became a reality. Today, the Cay R. Lane Event Series celebrates that legacy by continuing to bring diverse artistic experiences and community gatherings to the Gateway Regional Arts Center.

The Monica Gilvin Volunteer Fund honors Monica Gilvin for her decades of dedication and service to the arts in Montgomery County. Monica has been volunteering with the organization since 1997, beginning when it was still the Montgomery County Council for the Arts and operated out of a single gallery. Through the many years of growth and change that followed, she has remained a constant presence, generously giving her time and energy to support the arts center. This fund reflects her spirit of service by investing in volunteer recruitment, management, retention, and appreciation, ensuring that the Gateway Regional Arts Center continues to build a strong and vibrant community of volunteers.

The Becky Bishop Priest Music Fund honors Becky Bishop Priest, whose passion and dedication have been instrumental in sustaining music at the Gateway Regional Arts Center. Becky has long been the driving force behind many of GRAC’s music events, including the Mount Sterling Cabaret and the Advent Musicale, a cherished holiday tradition in the community since 1987. Over the years, she has organized countless concerts, tirelessly networking with musicians, coordinating performances, and raising funds to ensure that live music remains a vibrant part of the community. Her deep love for music and unwavering support for GRAC have made her one of the Center’s most devoted advocates, helping bring music and joy to audiences throughout the region.